West Ham star Declan Rice has once again proven why he is Arsenal's main transfer priority this summer. As football.london have reported since February, the 24-year-old is the top target for the Gunners ahead of the 2023/24 season with Mikel Arteta hoping Rice can be one key part of a mini-midfield overhaul.
Edu's plan for the summer window regarding midfielders was mostly clear with further defensive depth also an important issue to fix. Acquiring two options for the engine room was suggested but never looked a guarantee, however, signing a midfield duo now appears a necessity with a major first-team departure set to occur.
Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks to sign for Bayer Leverkusen with a £13million deal looking likely to be completed soon. The Switzerland international has spent the last seven years in north London, comfortably enjoying his best campaign this season where he has notched seven goals and seven assists from 45 games in all competitions.
READ MORE: Arsenal learn from Serge Gnabry mistake as Edu lines up midfielder transfer
The decision to sanction a sale indicates a huge shift from Arteta and Edu regarding their plans for Arsenal. Xhaka would've turned 31 at the start of next season and the club are set to lose an important leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
However, while not a direct replacement, Rice has also shown those qualities and on Thursday evening he arguably did so in the most important game of his domestic career. West Ham were 2-1 in front from the first leg in their Europa Conference League semi-final against AZ Alkmaar. Avoid defeat and they were heading to the final in Prague on June 7.
It was a tense second leg in the Netherlands but led by Rice the Hammers held firm and were heading for qualification with a goalless draw before Pablo Fornals scored late on to seal their place in the final. According to FotMob, Rice made a staggering 14 ball recoveries while also hitting the same number for passes into the final third which helped him receive the highest rating (8.2) of any player on the pitch.
Question marks have previously been raised over Rice's ability to step up in huge games and his contribution in the final third but those concerns have been silenced this year. Inside a hostile Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Rice scored England's opening goal in a 2-1 Euro qualifier victory against Italy before bagging a decisive goal in the previous round for West Ham against Gent which helped them secure a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Understandably, given his value to the club, West Ham are said to be demanding a £120million package deal for their skipper. However, the Gunners are currently preparing a £92million offer which will formally arrive once West Ham's European adventure is over.
It is unlikely that Arteta and Edu needed further proof that Rice is absolutely the right man to take the club to the next level, but nonetheless the English midfielder has once again proven he is and then some.
READ NEXT:
Joao Cancelo signs, Declan Rice joins, William Saliba contract: Arsenal's best transfer window
Arsenal take next step in securing £92m Declan Rice transfer by sanctioning Vincent Kompany deal
Saka concern, Arteta's Jesus switch - Three things spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Forest
Mikel Arteta has Joao Cancelo Arsenal alternative with cut-price transfer to solve big problem
Arsenal news and transfer LIVE: All the latest updates from the Emirates Stadium
